An American fishing company was slapped with a hefty fine after being caught transporting live Asian carp over the border.
Experts say the invasive species have potentially devastating affects when introduced into local waterways.
“If they were to get into the Great Lakes Basin, there would be devastating ecological impacts on them,” says Ministry of Natural Resources lawyer Demetrius Kappos.
Phoenix Fish Farms LLC was handed a $30,000 fine Thursday after pleading guilty to the possession of the live invasive fish.
Officers discovered 1,900 pounds of live grass carp and 700 pounds of live big-head carp on Jan. 9, 2012, when a truck owned by the Indiana company was crossing the Ambassador Bridge.
“It's unlawful to possess live invasive carp in Canada," says Kappos.
The court heard both types of fish have voracious appetites, an ability to rapidly reproduce and could wipe out native species in the Great Lakes Basin. They could be extremely dangerous to both the commercial and sport-fishing industries.
“We don't know what would happen if they get here, but we're trying to prevent that from happening," says Ministry of Natural Resources officer Kevin Sprague.
Sprague says these species have already infested many bodies of water in the U.S and for that reason, inspections for Asian carp have ramped up lately at area border crossings.
“They've been very high on the radar for at least two years," says Sprague.
Phoenix Fish Farms has 18 months to pay the fine.
“At the end of the day, I think that hurts anyone's bottom line, so I'm satisfied with it," says Sprague.
Possession of the invasive species carries a maximum fine of $100,000.
